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There’s the viral photo of a man who climbed inside the shark he killed; there have been stories on attacks on swimmers; and, of course, much has been said about our favorite D-List movie we haven’t seen yet.

But in spite of the extreme news and gory pop culture references, swimming with sharks continues to be a large and growing activity.

The global shark tourism industry makes an estimated $500 million a year, says Patric Douglas, founder of Shark Divers and a shark dive specialist based in California.

Many tout swimming with sharks as one of the greatest diving experiences to be had.

Depending on the diver’s comfort level, options range from observing sharks from underwater cages to participating in feedings.

Here’s where to do it.

Bahamas

Bimini Bull Run

There are around 40 species of sharks in the protected Bahamas waters.

It’s one of the few places where shark sightings are a daily occurrence, due to the marine park’s shark-friendly habitat.

Targeted at non-certified divers, Bimini Bull Run shark dives start in a floating cage attached to the end of the dock at the Bimini marina.

The area, which has been home to bull sharks for 60 years, is strictly closed to swimmers. The only shark encounters are from inside the cage.

“Sharks here are not affected by tourist habits, they don’t associate people with food,” says Heylen, adding that sharks behaving naturally in their natural habitat create unforgettable close encounters.

Indonesia’s Raja Ampat government recently said 4 million hectares of coastal and marine waters will be conserved as a marine sanctuary for sharks.

Indonesia is a huge market for shark catching according to Paul Friese, founder of Bali Sharks, a nursery for young sharks.

Indonesia was the biggest shark catching country in the world in 2011, exporting 316 tons of shark fin.

Now, concerted efforts are being made to rescue sharks from the shark fin trade.

Fishermen who had previously depended on shark-finning for their livelihoods now bring the sharks they catch to Friese’s nursery, where visitors can dive with sharks and get to watch as sharks are rescued, tagged and released.

“Guests have told me they will never touch a bowl of shark fin soup again,” says Paul Friese. “These reactions push me to see how far the shark conservation nursery can grow.”